Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Operators flying older Gulfstreams have a new option to upgrade the original avionics–the PlaneDeck retrofit. Gulfstream Aerospace’s PlaneDeck retrofit, which recently received FAA and EASA certification, replaces six cathode-ray-tube displays with Honeywell DU-885 liquid-crystal displays and adds capabilities such as XM graphical weather, electronic charts and maps and display of video to the approximately 700 GIVs, GIV-SPs, GVs, G300s and G400s still flying.


More important, PlaneDeck offers a path to bring these airframes up to date with capabilities such as Waas LPV approaches, required navigation performance, ADS-B IN and Fans 1/A datalink. Other future options include Honeywell Inav and synthetic-vision technology and paperless terminal charts. PlaneDeck features are accessed using cursor control devices installed on the side consoles.


Installation of the PlaneDeck retrofit takes 10 to 12 business days at Gulfstream-authorized service centers, including Jet Aviation facilities. The retrofit includes removal of avionics cooling fans and ducting. Installations have begun, according to Gulfstream, and 15 have been completed.

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

PlaneDeck Retrofit STC’d for Older Gulfstream Jets

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

Start-up is developing a family of hypersonic aircraft using air-breathing propulsion

Hermeus Installs Starlink for Beyond-line-of-sight Tests

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Vulnerability to bad actors is a critical aviation issue

Aerodata Backup GPS Approved for Anti-spoofing/jamming

Hanneke Weitering

Garmin introduced the third-generation flight deck last month

Beta’s Electric Airplane Debuts Garmin G3000 Prime Avionics

Approval enables operators to add head-up display to King Air turboprops

Global Aviation STCs ClearVision EFVS in King Airs

Upgrade adds 3D synthetic vision and next-gen capabilities

Thornton Aviation Installs InSight Suite on Falcon 900B

Chad Trautvetter

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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Hermeus Installs Starlink for Beyond-line-of-sight Tests

Start-up is developing a family of hypersonic aircraft using air-breathing propulsion

Aerodata Backup GPS Approved for Anti-spoofing/jamming

Vulnerability to bad actors is a critical aviation issue

Beta’s Electric Airplane Debuts Garmin G3000 Prime Avionics

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Automation helps reduce pilot workload and improve passenger comfort

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Tests are being done in an Eclipse 550 twinjet

Universal Avionics All In on Artificial Intelligence

Advancements promise to make pilots' jobs easier and safer

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